Sabarmati sub-jailor suspended, crime branch interrogates inmates

A sub-jailor of Sabarmati Central Jail has been suspended for negligence in connection with the unsuccessful jailbreak attempt by 14 inmates accused in the 2008 serial blasts case. Sub-jailor D K Parmar was in charge of Chhota Chakkar where these prisoners were lodged.

There is suspicion of collusion of the jail staff in this escape bid, mainly because of its failure to detect and report the 26-foot long and six-foot deep tunnel which the accused reportedly dug in their barrack near the toilets.

Investigators estimate it must have taken the group at least a month to dig such a long tunnel and it could not have been done without using heavy-duty gardening tools. The presence of the tunnel was officially reported by jail authorities on Monday.

Meanwhile, the crime branch Wednesday began interrogation of the 14 inmates. The crime branch has prepared a detailed questionnaire for them.

Investigators are analysing samples of the material collected from the spot and the plan of the tunnel, which was reportedly to be linked with an underground sewage line that passed beneath the main gate of the jail premises.

"The soil sample is being collected to test its humidity, which will enable us to know the time of digging," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) A K Sharma.

As trial of the serial blasts case is being conducted inside the jail, the state government has invoked section 268 of the CrPC against all the accused in the case, restricting their movement.

While the trial court has permitted interrogation of the accused for 10 days in connection with the jailbreak attempt, police are also planning to interrogate other 52 accused in the serial blasts case.

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